Randall Dam dam
Randall Dam
Randall Dam, located in Gibbon, Nebraska, along the TR-Wood River, serves as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction in the area. Completed in 1945, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a structural height of 19 feet, providing a vital defense against potential flooding events. With a normal storage capacity of 47 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 95.8 acre-feet, Randall Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding community from the dangers of flooding.
Despite its importance in flood risk reduction, Randall Dam is currently classified as having a low hazard potential and a poor condition assessment, based on data from a 2017 inspection. While the dam is under state regulation and inspection, there is room for improvement in its maintenance and overall condition. With the dam located in Buffalo County, Nebraska, under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, there is a collective effort to ensure the safety and integrity of Randall Dam for the benefit of the local community and water resources enthusiasts alike.
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, structures like Randall Dam play a critical role in safeguarding communities and water resources. With ongoing inspection and regulatory oversight, there is a commitment to maintaining and improving the condition of Randall Dam to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction. As a key component of the water management infrastructure in Nebraska, Randall Dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring in the face of evolving climate challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Randall Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Kearney | 20 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 149 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 7 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 76 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 24 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Randall Dam.
Track Randall Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Randall Dam
Where does the data for Randall Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Randall Dam.